Titans fall to Jets 7-3 in preseason opener

Titans head coach hopes to calm rookies' nerves before first NFL preseason game against Jets.
George Walker IV/ USA Today Network - Tennessee

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles out of the pocket early in the first period of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J..(Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)

Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) stretches on the sideline during the second half of their preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) pulls on his helmet during the second half of their game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) walks the sideline during the second half of their preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) watches from the sideline during the second half against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans and Jets scramble for a loose ball after a fumble by Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) that was recovered by the Jets in the fourth quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Jets strong safety Ronald Martin (42) is pushed out of bounds as he races up the field after an interception in the fourth quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan watches from the sideline in the second half of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans inside linebacker Avery Williamson (54) watches the action in the second half of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans strong safety Da'Norris Searcy (21) laughs on the sideline during the second half of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) stands on the sideline during the second half of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Tyler Ferguson (5) and cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) stand on the sideline during the second half of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans linebacker Erik Walden (58) stands on the sideline during the second half of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.co

Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) throws a pass in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) drops a pass defended by Jets cornerback Dexter McDougle (23) in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey watches his team in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau watches the team in the second half of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) tries to sneak past Jets cornerback Marcus Williams (20) on a reverse after a long catch in the third quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans punter Brett Kern (6) and kicker Ryan Succop (4) celebrate Succop's field goal in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) pulls down a long pass in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a field goal to put the Titans on the board in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Jonnu Smith (81)before it was called off in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J..The Titans went onto kick a field goal. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey watches his team during the first half of their preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans running back David Fluellen (32) dives for extra yards late in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) scrambles out of the pocket late in the second quarter in a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) is stopped after making a catch by Jets wide receiver Charone Peake (17) in the second quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans tackle Taylor Lewan (77) yells to teammates from the sidelines of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans defenders stop Jets running back Romar Morris (30) in the second quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) is sacked in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) is checked by team medical personnel after being sacked in the second quarter of a preseason game against the jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) is checked by a trainer after being sacked in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans linebacker Daren Bates (53) is tended to on the sidelines of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans linebacker Jayon Brown (55) pulls down Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (88) in the second quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans defensive end Angelo Blackson (95) tries to stop Jets running back Romar Morris (30) in the first quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) breaks up a third-down pass intended for Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) in the first quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

The Titans' Adoree' Jackson (25) returns a punt as Jets cornerback Juston Burris (32) tries to make the stop in the first quarter of a preseason game Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) returns a punt in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles out of the pocket short of a first down and forcing a punt in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) sits on the bench in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles out of the pocket early in the first period of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Jets wide receiver Charone Peake (17) catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Titans at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) stops Jets running back Elijah McGuire (35) on a run in the first quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) visits with friend John Shulby before their game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.c

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey lines up during warmups before the preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans tackle Taylor Lewan (77) puts on his helmet during warmups before the preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) races up the field after a catch during warmups before the preseason game at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hugs center Mark Spelman (61) and other teammates as they warm up before the preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans tight end Tim Semisch (85) pulls in a pass during warmups before the preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J.. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

► After getting steamrolled in his first series in the game, the night hasn't gotten easier for Alex Tanney: The Jets have piled up 7 sacks. With Matt Cassel still recovering from thumb surgery, they might get Ferguson back in there to spare Tanney further damage.

► Still nearly 10 minutes left in this game, but the takeaway for Tennessee is clear: Mariota looks like like he's back and ready to go. And as our Joe Rexrode writes, that's the single most important factor if the Titans want to be special this season.

► Impressive 41-yard carry by Akeem Judd. Took advantage of a huge hole, but showed good speed and vision at the second level. Unfortunately, Tanney promptly under-throws a ball to the end zone and it's picked off. Jets still lead, 7-3.

Akeem Judd opening some eyes with that 40-yard run. #Titans at #Jets 30.

Third quarter

► That Taylor catch might be the highlight of the game, but it's not a deep field of candidates. We're firmly into "depth chart evaluation" territory, with most of the starters watching from the bench.

JETS 7, TITANS 3: Taywan Taylor hauls in a 67-yard bomb from Tanney, and we're tied ... until they review it and rule Taylor down by contact. Great catch, but drive stalls and Titans will settle for a Ryan Succop field goal.

► Aside from that first drive, the Titans' defense has looked fairly stout. (Insert caveats about the preseason and opposition here.) A notable exception is new cornerback Logan Ryan, who joined the team from the Patriots this offseason. He was beat on the deep pass to set up the Jets' early score.

Halftime: Jets 7, Titans 0

► It wasn't the most inspiring half of football, particularly on offense, but hey, it's the preseason. And Titans fans probably got their biggest wish: Seeing Marcus Mariota healthy and back under center.

► Titans' defense gets a stop to start the quarter, and the Jets miss a long field goal attempt. Appears that Alex Tanney will replace Mariota at QB, with Matt Cassel limited after having thumb surgery in the offseason. Alex who? Read more about Tanney here. Mariota finishes 2-3 for 15 yards through the air, plus six on the ground.

First quarter

► Mariota returns for a second series, but his would-be first-down pass to Delanie Walker is called back for a penalty on Eric Decker, and he almost throws a pick on the ensuing third down. Titans punt again.

MARIOTA SIGHTING: The Titan's first offensive series fizzles, but not before Marcus Mariota completes a nice pass and takes a sack — and more importantly, gets up OK from the latter. We'll see whether or not Mike Mularkey runs him back out for another possession or calls it a day.

► We're underway. Titans win the toss and defer, so the Jets will be on offense first with Josh McCown getting the start under center.

Pregame

It's expected to be Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota's first game action since fracturing his right leg last December. He's looked good in training camp, but don't expect to see him out there for more than a few series before the backups come in.

One player fans won't see on the field at all is the Titan's top draft pick, receiver Corey Davis, who is expected to sit with a hamstring injury. Also sidelined with hamstring issues is Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray; Derrick Henry will get the start in his place.